fiotii on ^acmars in t!)f C'imr, iTtiUrrts^
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fiC ftn at>el9frccs*f Sb%Qp, A. D. 1498.

PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME. ii

Contents.

Coloured title page ... ... ... ... i

To the reader ... ... ... ... ... iii

The Jledical Profession ... ... ... ...1

The Surgeon’s comment ... ... ... 10

The Apothecaries ... ... ... ... 12

The Materia Medica ... ... ... ... 15

Specimens of prescriptions ... ... ... 35

The Ketail Trade ... ... ... ... 37

Official regulations ... ... ... ... 42

The Apothecary’s Shop ... ... ... 44

Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... 46

Of another rare well ... ... ... ... 53

Woodcuts

One folding view of an apothecary’s shop, one cut
on wrapper, the same coloured on title page, and
nineteen in the text.

J

V I » ■ /.'>

•‘I

..'y

t ,.. .. .-. . • i' ■'^.' "

< ( ,. . ..... f "'’ ■ '•■- *•' ^

C.t. ... ... ...' 4'

T . • ... .. ... <>;* '■ -

.. a.1' *r* ' "

. ... ... ... f .’.r A '"j >

* ■ .' . ... ...* ... I

i .t ... . .. .... I..* - A i«n • 7t«»«v I >

\r " lijutU it i .'.'■y I9 VTii . , , i .

! •/<! '< vliU it ' [•‘■'I.' i. fc- . - I 4 • *

■ ■■ rt

PHAUMACV IN THE OLDEN TIME,

m

TO THE READER.

The following notes were originally jotted down
without any thought of exposing them to a wider
range of criticism than that of mv own small circle.

The subject, however, is an interesting one and it is
j)ossible, notwithstanding their fragmentary character
that these few comments may be accej)table to others.
With regard to the woodcuts, some were copied from
various editions of the “ Ortus Sanitatis ”, others from
A Hooke of Distillation” . London. lo6o. and Dr, J.
French’s “ Art of Distillation”. London. 1653.

It was my intention to add several other fac similes
likely to interest the reader but as their execution
demanded trained skill which could not be employed
without adding to the price of the book I gave up the
idea.

9

\hS

'•i.

I

^ ^ '

.racura :i.': (•:•

-, - ^ v: r ' ^ •

#-^4i -nfiwi

r..:— < <'i :wu-»-v"» ^ ' .iif^pu.n t***

V(-»Ai liMr- 4iMr>X<'' ®' •' R'W* Vk

it Uj1<» *•«■' ,ailj >'* * <!' '**'’

*'3^ rX’« i^CM.m»»ti*> A ‘ 4^1

»fi'j'^ ■•^^‘ ' * '"'^^ ^■

it.tnJ hvj4^' ,y*''iimil •» > w**^' - I*)

X n'lfcrm A -

' M . >vu ;’ ->'}Vh«"i4

tol)icitfi '"di^ fj*tr/o^ cu ff- c»tt» *-♦ *•

(ni/ifttr0t!^ ^">di ti;i tnii ^4^ i^HtJi 0* Tii»V>i

'i i ♦^-T li««w 4mMw liJir S»o4<|t» 6ibMi«^ .f*
ur}i ntt t^vsi t iwki t»d4>.»Wn v4/

' -.«*M

ViW

:r»;

PIIAUMAGY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

1

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

Medical knowledge in those days was not very ex-
tensive, and what did exist was hopelessly en-
tangled in the dai-kest and filthiest siipei'stition.
Not only was the influence of the I’lanets ovei* disease
firmly believed in by the most enlightened Physicians,
but many other ecpially whimsical ideas possessed the
minds of Doctors of Medicine. Filth of all kinds or
sorts was eagerly sought after, and no domestic animal
was exempt from contributing its share of excrement
to the Materia i\Iedica of the current Pharmacopceias.
And as long as there were only herbs and exci'ements
within their reach the Physicians of old got along very
well, for, I should think the chief difficulty they had
to contend with was, inducing their patients to swal-
low such revolting doses. But the introduction of
Chemical remedies and more particularly Antimonial

2

PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

Compounds by Basil Valentine in the loth century
brought about a radical change in medical practice,
the results of which were the reverse of satisfactory to
the public who suffered from it both in body and
purse. Marvellous effects were expected from Anti-
mony, and the results of the earlier trials can easily be
guessed by experienced Pharmacists. Practitioners ac-
customed to order in a prescri[)tion so many ounces of
this herb or so many drachms of that excrement, were
very likely in their first essays with powerful chemi-
cals to overdose their too confiding patients, and that
was what really did take place. Numbers of people
succumbed to the enormous doses prescribed by the
Faculty. The learned guardians of the public health
were aghast at the potency of the new remedies, and
alarmed at the rapidity with which their cases slip-
ped from them. A Physician one day would be called
to see a j>atient for the first time, and might order doses
of two or three drachms of Preeipitatum Pubrum
or some ecpially excessiA’e dose of Antimonium, and,
the next day would repeat his visit, to find his patient
gone and his services no longer required.

It was not long Itefore Antimony, which had been
used more freely than any other of the new remedies
became generalW regarded by the Profession as a very
deadly agent, and Basil Valentine met with the reward
which too often is all an innovator reaps : he and all
his school were strongly denounced. This valient
champion of chemical remedies, hoAvever, was not less

1‘ua::magy in tue olden time. 3

able in the handling of his pen than in the manipu-
lation of his chymical apparatus. Upon him. and all
that belonged to him, the physicians drained their vials
of wrath ; he in his turn made some very palpable hits,
and many passages in the English translation of his
“ Triumphant (.'hariot of Antimony” are so pertinent
that 1 think they are worthy of reproduction so 1 will
give a specimen or two

.. .Every l*hysician ought above all things to take care,
...that he do^neither less noi’ more than procure the
.. .restiiution of liealth lost, not instituting liiscuration
...contrary to nature or deviating from her direct in-
...tention. Wnen Spirit of Wine is poimsd upon Aqua
...Eortis a vehement ebullition is made and those two
...natures will not easily permit themselves to be to-
...gether. *** After the same manner Oyl of Tai'tar
...and vinegar made of rich wine, act each upon other
...for they hate and tly from each other as fire and
...water, although they proceeded from one and the
...same matter. Therefore the l*hysician ought in a
...special manner to be mindful to understand all cir_
.. .cumstances from the sick very exactly, and consider
...the .same being understood that in curing he may
...use such means as are fit to remove the di.sea.se, lest
...the }>atient be injured by the medicine, as for ex-
... ample when Iron is dissolved in Aipia Eortis, if you
...suddenly pour Oyl of Tartar upon that solution you
...shall difficultly preserve the glass from breaking;
...for the contrary natures like unto gun-powder, take

4 PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

...fire and break the glass, of all these things our gown
...doctors know nothing.

... Therefore let the World know that I shall prove
...those pretended Doctors, who seem to be wi.se to be
...mere fools and idiots. So I hope, yea doubt not
...(although all vagabond and circumferaneous Medi-
... castors, all Physicians resident in Cities, and how
...many soever there be, that profess themselves Mast-
...ers of any part of medicine, do all together contrive
...what they can and exclaim against Antimony.) but
...that the same Antimony will triumph over the in-
... gratitude of all those unskilful men (for true phys-
...icians and such as are always ready to learn I_^touch
...not here).

...And whensoever I shall have occasion to contest in
...the school with such a Doctor, who knows not how
...himself to prepare his own medicines, but commits
...that business to another, I am sure I shall obtain
...the palm, for indeed that good man knows not what
.. .medicines he prescribes to the sick; whether the col-
...our of them be white, black, grey, or blue, he can-
.. .not tell.

...Good God, to what a state is the matter brought 1
...what goodness of mind is in these men! what care
...do they take of the sick ! Wo, Wo to them ! in the
...day of judgment they will find the fruit of their
.. .ignorance and rashness; then they will see him whom

PDAUMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

...they pierced, when they neglected their neighlxmrf!!,
...sought after money and nothing else; whereas wore
...they cordial in their ])rofession, they would spend
...nights and days in labour, that they might become
...more learned in their Art,&c.

In the end medical ignorance prevailed, and in one
country at least, the use of antimony was prohibited.
During the early years of the London College of Phys-
icians, the jealousy of its members was roused by the
conduct of the Surgeons, who occasionally ventured to
prescribe internal remedies, and in the reign of Elisa-
l)Oth Commissioners were appointed to consider the
rival claims and settle the dispute. The eminent Dr.
Caius, then President, was advocate for the Physicians
and by his learned pleading he succeeded in obtaining
a decision adverse to the Surgeons, who were prohibited
from ordering internal remedies in such diseases as
Sciatica, or in wounds. Whether Shakespero ever took
any kind of intere.st in medical matters I don’t know
but judging from his portrait of this learned Doctor
as given in the comedy of ‘ The Merry Wives of Wind-
sor’ I am inclined to think he did not entertain a very
flattering opinion of the worthy Doctor’s abilities.

However, having gained this important advantage,
these militant practitioners of the healing art next
turned their arms against the Apothecaries, whom they
had for some time regarded as more interlopers with
no sort of legal right to exist at all, and whose growing

I'nAKM.VCY IN THE OEDEN TIME.

()

influence they viewed with real alarm. Aj^ainst tlie.se
more humhle yet not less useful .servants of the Publii"
a constant warfare was maintained tor many years,
charges of all kinds being brought against them, .‘^■ome
of the most frivolous and ridiculous character ])ossible.
Hut in the year ItWId a lull in the conflict was Im ught
about in a very remarkable way, which flu ugh not (<f
long duration ultimately proved a great help to tho
Apothecaries. It was the outbreak of the Plagm* that
found the Faculty provided with no belter remedies
than Mummy and Excrement, and as the Pestilence
was not to be exorci.s-ed by .such means the mortality
rapidily increased, and many IMiysicians tied into the
country. The Apothecaries bravely stood their ground,
and by visiting the sick and doing their best to hel])
them in their misery, gained greatly in the esteem and
confidence of the Public.

Among the many jiarty jaiblicatif ns that issued from
the press about this period, ther<‘ was one. from the pen
of Dr. Christopher Merret (*ntitled ‘ A Shirt View of
the Frauds and Abu.ses committed by the Apothecaiies
in relation to Patients and Phy.sicians’ which gives a
.very full account of their delinquencies. Although
written more than two hundred years ago, we find in
it the same .sort of ideas, the .same jtrejndices, and the
identical arguments and audacities that are to be met
with in the medical journals of the present day.

One of th(‘ most serious charges he makes against them
is that when fox lungs are ordered in a prescrijition.

rUAUMACY IN TUE OLDEN TIME.

<

they substitute sheeps lungs, and for the bone of a
(Stag’s heart they use the bc»ne of an Ox heart.

As all the efforts hitherto made h.) injure the
Apotheearies seemed to jiroduee no substantial results
a new method was suggested by a few of the more en-
terprising members of the College who eoneeived the
idea of establishing a Dispensary for suj>2ilying the
publie w'ith medicines at cost jirice and Advice Gratis.
Subscribing lU pounds each aliout oO of them soon
p ut the design into execution, and a room at the Col-
lege was a2)jtroj>riated for the purj>ose, and afterwards
as the business increased branches were opened in St.
Martin’s Lane, Westminster, and 8t. I’eter’s Alley,
Cornhill.

^^'hatever the effects this scheme may have jiroduced
uj)on the trade of the Ajiothecaries, it is pretty clear
that it was attended wita some disadvantages to the
I’aysicians themselves many of whom had strongly
opp(^)sed it from the first. Two of the most noteworthy
]<aity works jmblished in connection with this matter
were both by subscribers to the Dispensary, one being
a Poem the ‘The Dispensary’ by Dr. 8. Garth, and the
other by Dr. K. l*itt. Pellow and Censor of the College,
styled “The Craft and Frauds of Physic exjKisd.” both
books were received favourably by the Publie but as
the latter one deals with the suljjeet from an entirely
practical point of view, 1 shall give a couj)le of ex.
tiiicts in m that one only. : —

... The Crimes, says Dr. Pitt, of our Pnfession, have

8 PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

...been often expos’d and the Artifices and Fourber.
.. .ries of the English Practice are derided and cond^m-
...ned by many late Writers. The Roman Senators,
...who were Physicians to their Friends and Families,
...expell’d and banish’d the Greek Practicers out of
...Rome and Italy. Pliny has recoi’ded their Manners
...of Practice, detested by Cato, and after him by the
...Roman Nobility. They were almost the same with
.. .ours, which may be suppos’d to be copied from them,
...or invented since, and brought again into use by men
...of the .s.ame Genius.

••• * # Rezoar-Stone will be the most understood and
...obvious Instance in our English Practice; from
...whence you may, as well as the Phj^sicians abroad
...have done, inform yourself, with what skill and
...Art, and Integrity our Profession continues to be
...ju-actis’d here. Bezoar has held its Name and Repu-
...tation almost Sacred with us, tho’ exploded long
...since in almost all the Parts of Europe.

Physicians have not onl}- impos’d their Be-
...zoar and Pearl, and the very comniun, absurdly calld
.. .precious Stones; but the ardent desire of gain, by im-
... posing on the Credulous, or the cold inadvertency
...of that sort, who never fail to comply with the
...opinion of all others, have brought into the Cata-
...logue of Simples, and thrust into the Stomachs of
...theii Patients, not only the mo.st loathsome but the
...Parts of Animals, which after their Death, are void
...of all tho Spirits or Oyls, and are a dry and un-

PHAUMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME,

9

...active earth. I said I would give a couple of ox.
tracts but I have already inserted three and 1 find yet
another. It is a hit of advice from Dr. I’itt. : —

... The Patient will .see that his Physician continues
...sober thro’ the Day, and is not heating himself or
...his Friends over the Dottles, into extravagant and
...foolish Chax’aeters of his wondrous Abilities abt)ve
...all the rest of the Faculty. The Physician will bo
...present, as often as the dangerous uneasinesses de-
...mand his Visits, and not send his Preserij)tion from
...the Tavern. ♦ * ♦ This seems necessary to bo exact-
...e.l at this timo by the (Tovernmont, and by all the
... Families, (who can penetrate into the eommon Prac-
...tice) from the Faculty, which has almost forfeited
...their Protection and liegard; having amused the
...People with Medicins they desjiise in their private
...Conversations, and having injur’d and defrauded
...their Patients, by refusing to appoint the Kemedies
...of the late Inventions or Improvements.

The book these p.a.s.sages were taken from was pub-
lished in the year 1703 and it .shows beyond doubt that
Dr. Pitt’s ideas were far in advance of his professional
time. For, although nearly two centuries have elapsed
since he wrote, we have only to turn to the pages of
tfie Driti.sh Pharmacopceia to find uiu(uestionable ev-
idence that the Faculty still believes in the remedial
efficacy of filthy garbage. However, it is satisfactory
to know that Dritish Pharmacists have always dis-
countenanced such disgusting superstition.

10

PHARMACY IN THK OLDEN TIME.

Moliere, in his comedy of ‘Le Malade Imaginaire’,
has also given us a very good idea of what medical
practice was in his day,

Clysterium donare,

I’ostea seignare,

Ensuita jmrgare,

Reseignare, rej)urgarc, et reclysterisare.
and he might, justly, have added Excrementa admin,
istrare.

With regard to Surgical Practice, during my short
search 1 did not meet with any particulars likely to
he of interest to Pharmacists. It may, however, be
worth while to mention that Lotio Elava, (Hyd. Per-
chlor. cum Liq. Calcis.) and Lotio. Alba. (Liq. Calcis.)
were both being used in the Paris Hospitals in the early
])art of the seventeenth century, whilst Lint and evap-
orating lotions of spirit of wine and water were in use
at a much earlier period.

Here is a characteristic specimen of Medico Chir-
urgical Poetry, by a less famous author than Rabelais,
entitled —

^uroron hiuihfh into fourc pactfs : or
^rtjf ^uiQPon's C’ommrnt.

1 A Surgeon’s like a God whom they adore:

When death about the sicke mans bed doth sore,
I'hen hath he great respect, and high regard,

‘Fed with the smoaky promise of reward.

PHARMACY IS THE OLDEN TIME.

11

2 But as the Patient doth l>e«:in to mend,
doth the Surgeons God-head straightwayes end:
Yet such attendance on him still is given,

As if he were an Angel comne from Heaven.

8 When health and strength the Patients doth inspire,
To sleepe, eate, walke, and sit up by the fire :

Then strait the Surgeons state Angelicall,

In their respect unto a man doth fall.

4 lijvst, when the sicke or sore are heal’d againe,

And that the Surgeon soekes reward for’s paine:

Hec's neither counted God, nor Angel then.

Nor is he intertained as a man.

But (through ingratitude) that hellish euil.

They bid the Surgeon welcome as the deuil.

A Physician of the Galenical school. (17th century.)

12

rnAKMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

THE APOTHECARIES,

Concerning tbo legal qualification of an English
Apothecary in former times, I have no inform-
ation at my command. Eut in the course cf ca.sual
half hours with books I came across a few particulars
relating to the continental practitioner that may he c f
some interest to the reader. The}’ are taken from the
rather scarce Histoire et Origine de la Corporation
des Chirurgiens & Apothicaires d’Audenarde dite des
SS. Cosines et Damien depuis le Xlle siecle. par L.
Creteur. et Th. Devacht.

This Guild exercised almost absolute authority in mat-
ters aft’ecting the I’harmacicns of Audenarde. No one
was allowed to keep a shop for the sale of drugs unless
he were a Blaster of the Guild, and none were eligible
for that degree until they had completed an apprentice-
ship of five years, and had passed the ju’escribed exam-
ination. Of this the first part comprised the recognit-
ion of simple drugs, their adulterations and preparation

rilAUMArV IN THE OU)EN TIME.

13

and the translation of j>rcscrij)tions. The second [mrt.
entirely pi-aetieal, was devoted to the preparation of
various official compounds. The.se were the rules hut
it apjiears the ajiprentieeshi]) was not always insisted
nj)on as, for instance, in 1677 i*ierre Vlamynck was ex-
cused this requirement. In the jtractical portion of his
examination he had to prepare Knqilastrnm Oxycro-
ceum; Electuarinm benedictnm Laxativnm; and Ung-
uentiim Apostolorum.

Tiaurent Baes in 161)6 was not so fortunate, hisajiplic-
ation to be examined being dismissed becan.se he was a
Frenchman ami there were already too many Fharm.
aciens in Audonarde.

In 17ol F. DiKpiesne had to prepare Calomel (seven
times sublimed), iSirop d’ Artemisia, F Emplastrum de
Ivanis cum Mercuric, and Confectio Hamech.

In 17i)o N. Cnvenaille pa.s.sed his oral examination
on the 13th of Oct, a fortnight afterwards he proved
his knowledge of plants, and on tha 5th of Nov. was
examine.! as to his knowledge of simple drugs, after
which he had to make Electuarinm lenitivum, Syr.de
Cich. cum Ilheo. Empla.strum jMercuriale. and Mer-
curius dulcis (Calomel), and at last received his di-
ploma Nov. the 12th.

In this case the examiners were very accommodat-
ing towards the candidate, it being at his own re([uest
that the different subjects were taken on different
days with a convenient interval between each, an ex-
ample, I think, not often imitated in this country.

14

PHABMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

Scattered througli the 152 pages of this history are
many other curious items which render the book val-
uable to all who interest themselves in such lore.

With respect to lady apothecaries, J. Beckmann in
his “History of Inventions and Discoveries” states
that as far back as the year 1445, an apothecary’s sho[>
in the city of Augsburg, maintained at the public ex-
pence, was managed by a female, and in the same
work may be found a notice of a London a])othecary
Coursus de Gangeland who in 1345 received from
king Edward HI. a pension of sixpence a day.

PIIAIIM \(’Y IN THE OLDEN TISIE.

lo

THE MATERIA MEDICA,

A ■well stcckod Apotlu'cavy's sho]Mif the scveiitoeiith
ciiiitiirv must have been a veritable museum of unsav-
oury curiosities, iu whieh might have been found on
one and the same shelf, such strange drugs as Toads,
Ants, iS()iders, Alillepedes. Mummy. Alnss off a dead
man’s skull. Bone of a Stag’s heart, Stereus humani.
Dung from a stone horse, Lungs of a fox. Cat’s dung.
Worms, Album (rrieeum or white Dog's dung. Brains
of sparrows. Titmice, Peacocks dung and feathers.

Some medical writers when dealing with this sub-
ject, have treated it in such a manner as to lead the
reader to supp;)se that this class of remedy was in \iso
only during the dark ages, but there exists plenty of
evidence to show that down to a comparatively late
jieriod, the highest medical authorities were in the
habit of prescribing a variety of filthy refuse which
the Ijuw compelled the apfithecaries to dispense.

My notes, however, will refer to only a f(>w of the
more important or remarkable items. The first one
being Oil of Vitriol or Sulphuric Acid, which from

16

PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

the earliest times
of Chemical Sci-
ence has always
been regarded as
a most important
reagent, and few
of the early print-
ed books on that
subject omit giv-
ing careful direc-
tions for its pre-
paration. The
process illustrat-
ed here may l»e
found detailed in
Gesner’s Newe

Jewell of Health’

as translated into =
English by G
Baker, in 1576.

^preparation of of Fitriol,

12 pounds of Koinan Vitriol (cupri. sulj>h.) were
calcined to 6 pounds, and the residue put into a glass
retort to which was adapted a receiver containing 18
ounces of water. A strong heat was then applied for a
couple or more days until the fumes ceased to pa.ss, the
contents of the receiver were now removed and the 18
ounces of M'ater separated by redistillation. The red
colour of the oil obtained by this method, rendered a

PHARMACY m THE OLDEN TIME.

17

third distillation
necossarv l)efore it
was lit for use.

The })rocoss of
juaking Oil of
Vitriol from Sulp-
hur was unknown
till the year

I believe Albuea-
sis. an a •abiau wri
-ter who lived in
the 12th or Idth
century, wiis the
first to give the
mode of preparing
liose Water, al-
though this li(piidt^
is mentioned by
IMesue another

arahian author writing three centuries earlier.

The woodcut above represents the apparatus made use
of in the process described by Albucasis and is copied
from the original in P. Morwyng’s translation of the
‘‘Thesaurus Euonymi Philiatri” by Gesner, wherein
are full details of the various methods formerly in use
which Albucasis thus sums up. —

Of the four waves which bo, Without water with flam-
ing wood. Without water with coals, With water and
flaming wood, With water and fire of coals, the first is

18

PHAKMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

the worst, and yieldeth a water of the least smell ; the
second is better tl an it, the third than the second; but
the fcnrth is best of all. The second and third aie
most used and 1 will here describe the third (which is
made with water and flaming wood, as it is in use with
the kings of Aharach, &c, (ic.

With regard to the woodcut, A is the furnace with
a smoke hole in each side and a cover on which stand
two brasen vessels]! & 1) containing water, and con-
nected together by a jape furnished with a stci)ccck,
]n the cover of the vessel 15 are three a])citurcs in
which three alembics containing the roses arc; ])laced
and to these were ada])tcd vials for receivers.

Laj)is ]5ufonites, Tiadstone. Of this there were two
sorts, the long and the round, the former were about
an inch in length and four or five lines thick, hollow
on one side and convex on the other, smooth, and of a
grey colour with reddish spots. The round were bon-
net shaped about half an inch across at the bottom and
of a grey or greyish blue and sometimes reddish colour.

It was believed by some that these stones were formed
in the heads of old toads, and by jdacing the reptile on
a piece of red cloth it voided the stone by its mouth .

In doses of a scruple or half a drachm their powder
was prescribed in Diarrhaa, the ITague, and several
other diseases.

PHARMACV IN TOE OLDEN TIME.

flettiJifl of ge Coaljstone.

20 PnARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

Sanguis Draconis. Dragon’s Blood. Respecting the
origin of this name several explanations have been
offered, the earliest 1 knew of occurring in the ‘Oitus
Sanitatis” in these words : Sanguis draconis quo ph}’s-
ici utuntur in medicinis aiunt gumrai cuiusdam Aiboris
sic dictum propter sanguinis similitudinem veri dra-
conis. Bearing in mind the popular belief as to the
existence of these monsters, it is probable that this
statement represented the views of most physicians for
a long time, until Dr. N. IMonardes published the earl}*
parts of his ‘Historia Medicinal’ wherein he offered a
scarcely more credible account. He asserts that on
removing the skin from the fruit of the tree yielding
this resin, there appears beneath the perfect figure of
a dragon, with a long tail, a bristly back, and all the
other external peculiarities usually ascribed to these
fabulous brutes by artists. The dragon above is a fac

PUAHMACV IN TQE OLDEN TIME.

21

simile of the one in the second part of the “ITistoria
Medicinal”. Dragon’s lilood was used as an astringent,
and I)rs. Salmon and Schroder, with other equally
eminent authorities, declare that when laid upon the
navel it stops dysenteries. In the rharmacopo.ia
Londinensis ( 2nd edition ) it was one of the 25 in-
gredients in Trochisci Gordonii. and with mummy
and some 21) others it was contained in the Emp. ad
herniam. of the same dis]R,>nsatory.

Draconites. These stones were another of the very
numerous class of antidotes to poison and were said to
1*0 extracted from the heads of dragons. As dragons
were insensible to the magic influence of red cloth,
and could not be induced by any other means to part
with their .stones, it became nece.ssary to use force, and
this, conscientious and muscular ]>hysicians, desirous
of giving their patients the beneflt of the genuine
drug, would not hesitate to employ, as the learned
author of the “ Ortus Sanitatis ” shows in the sketch
which I reproduce on page 22.

The next item is Terra Sigillata or .sealed earth, for
many ages a common ingredient in prescriptions and
often mentioned in the Pharmacopoeias of the 16th and
17th centuries. Of the several kinds, that which was
brought from Con.stantinople was con.sidered to be the
be.st. The chief varieties were Terra Lemnia from
Lemnos. Terra Sarnia from Samos. (Terra Sarnia Vul.
garis was common pipe clay made into cakes and stamp
-ed) and Terra Melia from Melos, also called the sealed

Il

I'UA’.iMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

23

earth of Saint Paul. All these were re{)uted antidotes
to jioisan and likewise of sovereij^n value in Fevers,
Diarrhoea, Dysentery, and the Plague. The prepar-
ations in freipient use were 'rrochos, an Oil, a Magistery
8iiu[)le and Compound Spirit.

Another instance of the superstition of, and the ten.
acity with which it clings to, the medical profes.sion,
is afforded by the history of the common viper. For
the last eighteen hundred years the followers of Ilijj-
j)ocrates have regarded this odious reptile with especial
interest, and aseribed to it marvellons medicinal prop-
erties the more important being thus de.soribed by a
bigh authority. — The Flesh, Liver and Bones have
no poison in them. The only poisonous parts being
the head and gall. The head is used as an Amulet a-
gainst Qainsy, Viper broth cures the French pox and
liCprosy, eating half a viper at once and fasting 5 or
() hours after, performs the same things. The fat in
do.ses of 1 to G drops is I'eckoned sudorific and ano*
dyne whether used internally or externally. The
whole viper (head and gall excepted) in powder cures
jterfectly the Gout and King’s evil taken twice a day
to two drachms or more. The biting of the viper is
mortal, and kills within three days at farthe.st, if not
speedily cured: the poison is universal, as if the body
was set on fire, with «)nvulsions, weakne.ss, cold sweats
vomiting and death; at first the poi.son may be sucked
out by applying the anus of a hen to the part after
scarification, or else a plaster of garlick, onions and

24

PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

Venice turpentine, etc. The ordinary preparations
comprised Troches, Essence, Volatile Salt, Spirit,
Compound Fowder, Oil, and Broth.

/

t

The preparation of Terra Sigillata.

The preparation of Trochisci de vlperis.

26

PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

ifiafeiitg Cultg.

TUTTY. Tothia. This when carefully washed formed
the principle ingredient in many eye lotions and oint-
ments. It also entered into the composition of several
preparations of the Augustan and other early Pharm-
acopoeias, and is supposed to be what was known to
the ancient greeks as Spodium.

PIIAUMACY IN THK OLDEN TIME.

27

C’atus, Foils. This familiav animal like all other do-
mestic creatures had to contribute its .share to the iMa-
tcriaMedica of the London riiarmacopoeia , and from
Dr. William Salmon’s translation I take this brief ex-
tract describing the chief of its medicinal properties.

: — 'I'lie grease of a gelded cat softens hardened nerves
an.l is anodyne. The head of a cat burnt to ashes and
these blown into the eyes thrice a day are a remedy for
all di.sea.ses of the eyes. The College of l*h3’sicians or-
der the head to bo that of a black cat but Dr. Salmon
supposes one of another colour would do as well. The
liver burnt to ashes and drunk heljis the Stone, the
dung mixed with mustard and vinegar cures the Gout
and falling off of the hair, (here is a sj.ecimen of the
prescriptions, powdered cat’s dung 1 ounce, powdered
mustard seed 3 drachms, onion juice 2 drachms, bear’s
grease enough to make an ointment.) Dr. Schroder in
his Pnarmacopieia l\Iedico-phvsica. states that 3 or 4
drops of blood taken from the vein under the tail of a
tom cat drank in water or wine cures E]iileps.v.

Oleum Sulphuris per cam})anam , I believe Gab-
riel Fallo])ius of Modena was the fir.st writer who de-
scribed this proce.ss. which I take, with the woodcut
on the next page, from ‘ The Art of Distillation ’ by
Dr. J. French. A large iron vessel filled with burn-
ing sulphur was jilaced under a capacious gla.ss bell
suspended from the ceiling, the fumes conden.sed in
the latter and flowed through the tube at the side into
the receiver below.

pha:;macy in the olden time.

29

lUmnmy. Of this rcmarkaLle ding r)r. Sdindcr
says there were five sorts mot with in commeree , : —

1st . The Arabian, whieh was a lupior exuding from
bodies embalmed with aloes, myrrh and other aromatie
gums, this was the most valued.

2nd . The Egyptian , a litpior sweating from bodic'S
] Deserved in asphaltum.

•Ird . The bodies of Eastern wayfarers and travellers
dying on the road, and buried in the sand.

4th. 'I’he f ietitious whieh was merely a mixture of
as])haltu:u and bitumen.

'I’o these the scientific ingenuity of the Eaeulty ad-
ded the fifth sort, which was known as Artificial or
modern iMiimmy.

Eew people will doubt that the physicians have a
great deal to answer for, and, at their jiresent rate of
progress, ages must elapse before they can adcipiately
atone for the pranks and excen tricities of the past.
One migiit have thought that when men of education
took to seeking reme.lial agents in common privies,
f iltiiy superstition had reached the h.west step of dcvel-
ope.nent, l)Ut it was not so, for the perver.se ingenuity
of t.ie Faculty discovered yet another means of imijos-
ing on the credulity of the Public, and having tired
of tile water closet they next broke in ujion the sanc-
tuary of the sepulchre, and the earthly remains of the
highest and noblest celebrities of the ancient world
were ruthlessly torn from their tombs to furnish med-
icine for the use of their more civilised and chri.stian

30

niAHMACY IN tup: 0I.1)P-N time.

descendents. What an end to the history of a I'liaraohl
To be carefully embalmed with the choicest andc('st-
liest jireservatives by artists of the greatest skill, Ihcn
with all the pomj) of State iiagcmitry to lie dei)osilcd
in a Koval mausoleum, there to rest unthought of for
centuries, lait at last to be taken (ait. c utu]), preseril)-
cd as ])hysic by iihysieians, and s;old liy the aix theeai'ies
at two shilling\s the drachm. It seems as if physiciims
were allowed too much license , and too much res] ect
Avas paid to their example, certainly in this instance
for the strong- belief that every orthodox physician'had
in the prophylactic and curative efficacy ( f jiresia vcd
dead bodies doubtless originated the cusl.om of all Koyal
personages, and others who could afford it, wearing a
piece of mummy next to the heart as a preservative
against poison and infection.

Not the lea.st interesting among the curiosities of
the old Materia Medica is the root of Atropa jMand-
ragora which most authorities consider to be the ])lant
mentioned in the book of Genesis. Ghapt. 30. verse. 14
though Lemery says the mandrake of the ancients was
<piite a different plant. Nevertheless it is certain that
for many centuries mandrake root was believed to bo
a cure for barrenness, and this belief was shared in both
by the Faculty as well as the Public. IMany import-
ant preparations described in early pharmacopauas
contain mandrake root and in the earliest printed
Flerbals the male and fcuu le plants were shown thus

32

PHAUMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

The common fancy that their roots possessed seme re-
semblance to the human form could not have been
more extravagantly expressed than it is in those two
sketches, both of which were copied from the originals
in the ‘Ortus Sanitatis’.

Anthropomorplia. o r
Atropa Mandi'agora,[ Mas ]

PHAltMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

33

Lapis Ve.sice et Lijiis Molaris.

Lapis Vesice. Stone out of a man’s bladder. This
was considered a s}x;cific for Gravel and Stone in the
Bladder when given in doses of about one drachm.
There were also several preparations of it in freijuent
use. the more iinporbmt being Sal Calculi Cry.stalinum,
Oleum Calculi per dcliquium. Elixir (.'alculi Humani.

34

PUAUMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

Powdered millstone mixed with rosin and apjdied
to the breasts was recommended for stopping the se-
cretion of milk.

Custoreum. Few drugs now in use have a longer
history than this nauseous substance, for ever since the
time of lIij)i)ocrates it has been regarded by medical
authorities as a valuable remedy, and one that could
be relied upon in many diseases. Yet at times there
have been individual practitioners who not C11I3" des-
pised its vaunted power, but justly consic’ered the cf-
ticial recognition of this class of remedy a rei)roaclis;.to
the Profession. It is therefore satisfactory to find in
the latest edition of the British Pharmacopoeia issued
a few weeks ago, evidence that the General Medical
Council are making some sort of attemj)t to keep pace
Avith modern requirements, and as one small result the
‘dried preputial follicles and their secretion’ are at last
consigned to the limbo of the past.

Lapis Armenus, Melochites. A native carbonate of
Copper of a pale blue colour and softer than lajiis lazuli
with which it has been sometimes ctnfounded, like
Tutty it was used chiefly in Optlialmic practice though
occasionally prescribed internally in mental affections.

PHAHMACY IN TUE OLDEN TIME.

35

SrECIMENS OF PRESCKIFTIONS

written by a Qourt Physician in the eighteenth century,
Haustus Ecphracticus.

TMillepedas contusas. No xxx.

Yini. Aperitivi uncias tres.

ni. f. haustus bis in die sumendus.

Electuariuin Bechicum.

M

Conserv. Rosar. rubrar. uncias. tres.

01. Sulphuris per Cainpanam q. s. ad
gratamjjaciditatam, m. f. Electuariutn.

Terr. Sigill. scrupulos duos.

Troch. Viperin. drachruam dimidiara.
Acetic. Bezoartic.

Aq. Theriacal. ana unciam.
m. f. haustus.

PHAUMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

For dispersing a Quinsy.

Alb. Grsec. cum Ciner Nid. ITirund.
a. (£. s. ni. cum mclle f. Cataplasma.

]n a Giddiness.

Stercus Pavon. uncias dims.

Vin. Alb. libras duas.
infundantur.

In Convulsions.

Cranii. Human, p. p.

Ung. Ale.

Corall. Kub.

Cinnab. Antim.

Diaphoret. Martial, a. drach. dimid.
Croci, gr. xv.

Camph. gr, iij,

Opii, gr, iv, m, f. pulv.

In Synovia,

Lacc, r,

L snefc Cranii Human, a, draclimam.

I'JIAKMAOY IN THE OLDEN TIME. 37

THE RETAIL TRADE.

The commorcuil position of the Apothecary was pro-
bably a much more satisfactory one than that of the
rharmacist of the present day, for the only serious
competition he had to contend with was from the
1!( olcsellers retailing chymical remedies and the keep-
ers of Ale houses who supplied the public with purg-
ing drinks.

Concerning the retail prices of drugs, the earliest in-
formation 1 have met with is contained in the ‘Taxa’
issued witii the seventh edition of the i’harmacopana
Augu.stana in lG2l3, wherin are mentioned several hun-
dred drugs and compounds of all .sorts and descrijitions
from Senna leaves to Cranium homini susjjensi. I do
not. however, intend to notice these but to jiass at once
to trie oldest Hritish price list I know of, ‘The I’harm
-ato I’inax, or a Table and Taxe of the j^ryces of all
usiiall medicaments, Simple and Composed, contayned
in I ). Gordon’s Apothecarie and Chymical Shop with-
in Mr. Fanpiar’s high lodging in Kew Aberdene.’
Aberdeiie. Imprinted by Edward Kaban^ anno lG2d.

a

"9

38 PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

The prices charged by the apothecaries in a city so
far north as Aberdeen we might naturally expect to
be somewhat higher than those demanded in ])laces
like London or other .southern cities, but it seems to
me that for many of his drugs Mr. Gordon’s charges
were excessively high, even at that period. Jn the
preface he offers some exj)lanation u[)on this subject,
and I think it may be safely inferred that the prices
ruling in Aberdeen were below those in this catalogue,
Prices per ounce : — Human fat 1’^/-, Axungia 1/-,
Goose grease 1/- , AVhite wax 4/- , Yellow wax 2/- ,
Htai’ch [ amidi officinarum ] 1/- , Common Armenian
Pole 2/-, (.Colophony 2/-, Ichthyocolla 1/-, liicpiorice
juice 8/- , Calabi’ian Manna 12/- , Tobacco confected
with oil of ani.se 16/-, Valerian root 3/-, Sal Ammoniac

Sal Gemime , Sal Petre, Spermaceti, Confect. Pos;e
and Acpia Forti.s, each 6/-, Sarsaparilla 10/-, L’efined
Sugar, Sulphur vivum, and Linseed oil each 2/., Oil
of sweet almonds. Sugar of Lead, I\Iercurial Ointment
(pro morbo gallico),each 8/_, White Soap, Lead Oint-
ment, Marshmallow Ointment, and Ginger Koot, each
3/., Acetum Scilhe, Itch Ointment, Diachylon Plaster,
and Oil of Juniper, each 4/., Spiritus A^ini or Aipia
Vita3, Senna Wine, Sulph Citrin, and Kitchen Sugar,
l/-> Egyptian Mummy 2/. per drachm, Chamomile
Flowers 1/- the half handful.

The above few items are 1 think sufficient to enable
the reader to form an idea of D. Gordon’s general rate
of charges which are very fully stated in the thirty

PIIAliMACY IN THE OEHEN TIME.

80

^ forty jiao-os of his iuterestinji; catalogue.

The ne.xt list is a Loifion otte iiublished in liy
1). W. Salmon from his house the ‘Ked Balls’ in Salis
-hury Court, Fleet Street. Jt occupies about eight jmges
lolloping the l’ostcri])t in his Synopsis I\Iedieina' and
gives the [)rices of nearh' two hundred and lifty ]»re-
] a -ations from which I select these few (per ounce)
Sal Brunella, Cinnamon water, each 4d, Cream of
'IV.itar, 8il. Spirit of Niter, Spirit of 'rurpcntinc, and
Sjiirit of Vitriol. (!d. Tincture of Benjamin, Tincture
ot Saferon, and ()ueen of Hungary’s water, Sd. Spirit
of (,'ommon Salt, Oil of Vitriol, Oil of Tartar jier dcl-
i(|uium, Ud. Si»irit of Lavender, Elixir of A'itriol, Salt
( t Wormwood, Salt of Tartar, Tincture of Colocynth,
'rineture of Castor, each 1/-. Spirit of Hartshorn, Oil
( t .\niseed. Tincture of (.'innamon. Sugar of Lead, Salt
of Steel, Alercurious Dulcis, [calomel] each 1/G. Oil of
Aml)er li/- . Oil of (jaraway, Sal Ammoniac, 2/(5. Ex.
tract of Oentian, BaLam of ^uliihur, 8/-. White Bre.
cipitate. ( ill of .Juniper-berries, 8/6. (dil of lioscmary,
besin of ji^cammony, Alercurious Vitm or I’owder of
Algaroth, 4 . . Ciiiiadiar of Antimony, Family Bills,
6/-. Besin ( f Jalap 6/.. (Jil of Cloves 7/6. Oil of Mace
and Oil ( f ~avin S/- . Turpethum jMinerale verum,
and (Quintessence of Human jJ'lvull.s. 10/-. Flowers of
;^ulphur 2d. it would seem from this advertisement
that Dr. Salmon carried on the business of an Apothe-

40

I'UAHMACY IN TIIK OLDEN TIME.

Doctor of .Medicine, He certainly mu.'-t liavc Icon
more industrious than most of his contemj orarics, tor
several of his -works formed bulky volumes and went
through not a few editions.

Dr. It. I’itt in his “Craft and Frauds of Physio cx.
jKis’d ” deals specially with the retail cost of drugs,
and gives a long list of the prices that were current
at the time he wrote. As in juevious instances I shall
content myself with a selection of the more mdewnr.
thy, among which occurs Ithubarb root at seventy
.shillings the jiound. Prices j>er drool m, FoUk n and
Cochineal Gd. Gamboge, Balsam Cojiaibie, Jala]), Jap-
an Earth Id. Oils of Aniseed, Caraway, and Junij;er
Jd. Oil of cloves 8d. Oils of rue, chamomile, and lav-
ender 1/- . Elaterium 8/- . Pil et'chiiv, Ituffus pills.
Stomach pills, Eudius pills 4d. Purifio'd scammony4d.

Per ounce, Gum benzoin, Cam])hor, and ]Manna/8d
(the common dose is double that quantit}’, and is the
dearest medicin us’d in PhysicJ, IMcelu acan 4d. Senna
Gd. Venice turpentine 2d. Cantharidcs 1/-. Tincture
of Satfrtai and Syruj) of rhubarb Gd. [ when the })riie
is dear] Syrup of buckthorn 2d, of violets 3d. of roses
3d. Oxymel of squills and Lenitive electuary 3d. ord-
inary I’lasters 2d, Blistering ])laster 3d. Oxycroccum
plaster 8d. Tincture of castor 1/- . Steel wine 3/. the
])int.

As to the charges for disj tnsing ])rescrij)tions the
only inf( rmation 1 have met with is what Messrs.

I’UAUMACY IN TUE OLDEN TIME.

41

('’rotour and Dovacht give in a copy of an Apothecary'^
hill for medicines supplied to the burgomaster of
Audenarde in the year 1700.

Dr. I’itt referring to the Dispensaries established by
the College of I’hysicians for the sale of drugs and dis.
pensing of prescriptions at cost price, says that on an
average about twenty thousand proscri[)tions were
made up at the three establisnments during the year,
the cost of each dose being about one penny.

42

PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

OFFICIAL EEOULATIOKS.

A.S early as the beginning of the sixteenth century
laws were in force in Germany and other continental
states restricting the sale of drugs to the ajDothecaries,
and empowering the medical authorities to inspect all
apothecaries’ shops, examine the dings, destroy those
that were stale or damaged, and line the projirietors.

The jiriees of medicines were likewise ro'gulatcd by
the authorities, and apothecaries were not allowed to
sell to jiersons unknown to them, poisons or powerful
drugs. As regards the insjiection of their shops similar
power was, at a later period, exercised hy the* London
College of riiysicians, and the M ay in M hich they did
exercise it, is shoM-n hy the case of Mr. GoodM'in an
apothecary carrying on business at Charing Cross
in 1727. Dr. iShadM-ell having bought some small art-
icles from him, M'hich M-ere booked, the collecting
clerk, at Christmas, inserted the amount in his list,
and called several times on the Doctor for the money,
which was c nly a few' shillings; vexed at the trouble
given him for such a trifle, the collecting clerk got

rilAKMAOY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

48

into a paiision, and the Doctor threatened vengeance.

Upon which, on the 10th of June. 1727. the visitors
came to (iiKidwin’s house, Charing Cross, during his
absence on (!hange, and burnt many of his articles in
the street: told a person who came to bu}’ some oleum
anisi, that it Wiis not good, nor anything in the shop;
and carried. to justify their proceedings, some em-
plastrum meliloti, which had been two or three years
in Africa, and liad come back in a chest brought to bo
rchtted. They then went to another shop of his in
Charles Street, \Ve.stminster, and condemned the goods
there, taking away a chest of articles to be examined.
lUr. Goodwin did not sit down cpiietly over this in-
jurious treatment, but appealed to the law, and recov-
ered, J believe. £<i00. damages.

The above statement is reproduced from the pi-efaco
to the 8rd edition of Gray’s Supplement to the Pharm-
acopoeia.

44

PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

THE APOTHECARY’S SHOP.

The disgiLstiiig nature of many of the articles kc]it
in stock and constantly in jn-occss of manijjulation,
must have given to the apothecary’s shop ( f olden
time an odour searcely so tolerable as that encountered
in the pharmacies of the present day. The general a]>-
pearance also was rather different, for, down to the
seventeenth century a shop counter appears to have
been unknown or exti'cmely rare, till then an ordin-
ary table served the ])urpose. The earliest print of an
apothecai’y’s counter i am acquainted with, is t)f the
year IGUO, although in the llistoire des aputhicaires &c
there is what is descril>ed as a ‘Vue interieurc d’un
hopital an 14me .siecle.’ wherein the apothecary is re-
presented behind a counter, yet with all resjiect to M
Cretcur 1 will venture to express the opinion that the
co.stumes of the apothecary and another individual
who seems to be a physician, in reality belong to a
jjcriod two or three centuries later.

The latter half of the 17th century witnessed a great
development in the apothecaries’ trade and after in-
creased trade came improvements in the fitting up of

PBAKMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

45

their shops. The plain upright “ green earthen pots ”
which appear to have been the only kind in use during
the preceding two centuries, wore then supplemented
by others of a more ornamental pattern, very similar
to those now in use. The shield shape labels too had
in many shops, given place to the scroll pattern, of
which our })resent ones are curtailed desiiondents. It
is about this period that I tind nests of drawers first
mentioned, though it is probable these conveniences
were to be found only in shops of the better class.

^V'ith regard to the Show Carboys I have not come
across any satisfactory data as to the time they came
into general use among a}X)thecaries,[^but there can be
little doubt that we are indebted to the alchemists for
these as well as the signs foriuerly gilded upon them,
( I say ‘ formerly ’ yet the practice has not quite died
out even now.). A conspicuous object in the shop was
the indispen.sable mortar which stood upon a block or
pede.stal of wwd, in front, or at the end of the table.

Scales suspended from a brass pillar mounted on a
drawer seem to have been unknown till a compara-
tively late period, the prints I have seen representing
them su.spended either from the ceiling or from a
bracket fixed in the wall. There being no Dispensing
screen the customers must have often had opportunity
for judging the aptness of the di.spenser, the cautious
manner of weighing the potent mummy or more cost-
ly bezoar.

46 PnARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIJIE.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The common method of carrying out the process of
digestion, was to bury the vessel containing the drug
in a heap of horse dung, or a mixture of horse dung and
quicklime, and sprinkling these occasionally with a
little water. Another plan was to stand the vessel out
in the sunshine with a mirror placed so as to reflect
additional rays onto the contents, or balls of crystal
(AA) were sometimes used instead of mirrors as shown
in this sketch.

rilAKMACY IN THK OLDEN TIME.

47

The earliest attempt at tlistilling, and ( I ludiovo )
the only mode known to the ancients, was of the most
simple character, reipiiring merely a pot. a few sticks
and a piece or two of sponge or Heece. The sticks wore
jtlaeod across the top of the pot of boiling li([uid, and
on these was laid the wool or sponge, which as it l)c-
came charged with condensed vaponr was removed and
wrung out. This plan was also used by .sailoi-s for ob.
taining fresh water at sea, and is de.scribed in the
'rroasure of Euonymus as ‘a way of purging troubled
waters.’

48

PHAUMACY IN TIIK OLDEN TIME.

The process of distillation per descensum (terms first
used by Galen in regard to the melting of metals) was
sometimes utilized for obtaining essential oils, as is
shown in the sketch below, representing the prc]>ar-
atiuii of oil of juniper. A is the cucurbit in the up-
permost ])urt of which are packed the beaten berries
[previously digested in horse dung for 28 days], f is
the receiving cucurbit, and between the mouths of A
and f is a perforated metal plate [ D at side ] su])])ort.
ing a column of sand reaching as high as C- Heat be-
ing applied at B causes the oil to trickle down through
the sand and perforated plate into the receiver. Q- is
a ring of straw supportihg the apjjaratus.

PHAllMACV IN THE OLDEN TIME.

49

Circulation. A term often mot with in old chymical
books, and thus explained by Dr. J. French. Circulat-
ion, is when any liqucr is so placed in digestion, thct
it shall rise up and fall down, rise uj) and fall down,
and so do continually, and thereby become more di-
gested and mature, for which use, for the most part we
use a pelican. The ingredients were put in at the top
which was then sealed up and the pelican stood in a
warm place.

A Pelican, Hermes vessel or Circulatory.

60

PHARMACY IK THE OLDER TIME.

The plan of cutting a glass flask by means of ap-
plying to its sides an iron ring heated to redness and
then dashing cold water upon it, appears to have been
the only method practised by ehymists in olden time.

Instruments for cutting glass.

For filtering Tinctures and many other preparations
coarse brown paper seems to have been the best ma'^
terial then obtainable, but for straining Infusions, De-
coctions, &c. the Manica Hippccratis or Hippocrates’s
sleeve was generally used. By the bye, this relic of
ancient days is not often seen in ehymists’ shops of
the present day.

When it was required to seal hermetically a bolt
head of large size, a shallow iron pan with a hole in
the centre just big enough for the neck of the bolt
head to pass through, was filled with burning coals
and placed upon a bracket. The neck of the flask be-
ing softened sufficiently, the operator would give it a
twist with pair of tongs.

PHARMACY IN THK OLDEN TIME

51

The way to seal up a bolt head.

62 PHARMACY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

The discovery of several new mineral springs in
the early part of the seventeenth century afforded the
public opportunities for trying more wholesome means
for restoring health than those used by the Faculty,
and it would seem from the following lines by a med-
ical writer of the period that they were not slow in
testing the powers of the new remedies.

Of another rare well,

Another precious water, men found out,

Two miles from Stratford-bow, (or thereabout.)

I came to London hoping to doe cures.

But this well from me, all my worke allures:

’Twas said, the vertue of the well was this.

To helpe all maladies, nought came amisse.

The Citizen in throngs, drinkes, washes, swills.

The well was watch’d with staves and rustic bills,
That I, and some Bracticioners were scar’d.

When of this moyst Physician first we heard.

And Surgeons and good Oculists there were.

That of this well, were in a little feare.

And if it had held long, those soueraigne drops
Had made the Apothecaries shut up shops.

The women that in Cheape-side hearbs doe sell.

Were pittifully hindred by this well:

Wormewood, that’s good for many a strange disease.
Was good for nothing then, but murther fleaes.

PHAllMAOY IN THE OLDEN TIME.

The Merchants that strange drugs did hither bring,
As Soenoj, Sarsaperilla. and many a thing,

Were donbtfull that t’aoir trades would quickly fall,
Jf this Well should doe any good at all;

And all the Druggists, that by wholesale sold.

Were like to seeko new trades, and leave their old;
For all the Ilearbes Kootes I’lants and Stones, and trees>
(iiinis, fruits and niineralls, beasts, fowles wormes bees.
And all the helps for man, which God created.

This well then (in a manner) halfe defeated.

But is’t not ignoi’anco to thinke, or follie.

That choller, sanguine, flegme, and melancholy.

Hot, cold, moist, dry, of strange, and various natures,
And how that all diseases, sundry matters.

And that the poore cold water of a Well,

Should all mens griefes expell, all Art excell 1
But in the Text, it is th’ Almighties will.

That we should honour the I’hisician still:

And going to the.se Wells with care and cost.

Makes purblind, .starke blind, and the labour lost:

For all the fame of them is but a blast.

Or like a Nine dayes wonder’s quickly past.